Mockingbird
New member
Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I'm currently writing something and I have a short description of CF in it.
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Cystic fibrosis is a genetic defect which affects the use of salt within the body. We all know the body needs water to stay hydrated and keep us alive. To be more specific, the body needs both salt and water. In the lining cells of many organs of the human body, there is something called a transmembrane conductance regulator. This "CFTR" as it is called uses sodium and chloride ions to regulate the flow of water in and out of these organs. The sodium ions are responsible for leading the water into the lining cells, while the chloride ions are responsible for leading the water into the organs. With cystic fibrosis, however, the CFTR is defective, and the chloride ions are unable to pass through the lining cells and into the organ, which means water is also prevented from passing through.
This tiny malfunction is responsible for many catastrophic problems. The dehydrated mucus in the lungs becomes thick and sticky, blocking airways and becoming a veritable playground for fungal and bacterial infection which, in turn, incites the lungs to create even more mucus. Meanwhile, the digestive system is incapable of delivering digestive enzymes to the small intestine, and vital nutrients are flushed down the toilet instead of being absorbed into the body. These are the two most prevalent symptoms of cystic fibrosis. Others can include diabetes, acid
reflux, sinusitis, osteoporosis, arthritis, or cirrhosis of the liver.
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I have not really checked all the information yet to see if it is 100% accurate, but as far as I know this is basically how CF works.
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Cystic fibrosis is a genetic defect which affects the use of salt within the body. We all know the body needs water to stay hydrated and keep us alive. To be more specific, the body needs both salt and water. In the lining cells of many organs of the human body, there is something called a transmembrane conductance regulator. This "CFTR" as it is called uses sodium and chloride ions to regulate the flow of water in and out of these organs. The sodium ions are responsible for leading the water into the lining cells, while the chloride ions are responsible for leading the water into the organs. With cystic fibrosis, however, the CFTR is defective, and the chloride ions are unable to pass through the lining cells and into the organ, which means water is also prevented from passing through.
This tiny malfunction is responsible for many catastrophic problems. The dehydrated mucus in the lungs becomes thick and sticky, blocking airways and becoming a veritable playground for fungal and bacterial infection which, in turn, incites the lungs to create even more mucus. Meanwhile, the digestive system is incapable of delivering digestive enzymes to the small intestine, and vital nutrients are flushed down the toilet instead of being absorbed into the body. These are the two most prevalent symptoms of cystic fibrosis. Others can include diabetes, acid
reflux, sinusitis, osteoporosis, arthritis, or cirrhosis of the liver.
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I have not really checked all the information yet to see if it is 100% accurate, but as far as I know this is basically how CF works.
